Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal presented the Sagar Aankalan Logistics Port Performance Index awards for the fiscal year 2024-2025 during the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority foundation day celebrations in Mumbai. The national benchmarking framework recognized the Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat and the Visakhapatnam Port Authority in Andhra Pradesh for their exceptional cargo handling capabilities. These accolades reflect India’s ongoing efforts to enhance maritime logistics efficiency and bolster its global trade competitiveness.
Sagar Aankalan and the Logistics Port Performance Index
The Sagar Aankalan guidelines, introduced by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in February 2024, establish a structured national framework to benchmark the logistics performance of Indian seaports. Under this initiative, the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) measures and compares the operational efficiency of both major and non-major ports across the country. The index aims to foster healthy competition, enhance transparency, and identify areas that require targeted infrastructure investments.
The development of the LPPI aligns with several key national policy goals. These include the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, the National Logistics Policy, the Maritime India Vision 2030, and the long-term Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. By standardizing performance metrics, the index helps Indian ports upgrade their operations to meet international standards and reduce overall logistics costs.
Key Winners of the FY25 Sagar Aankalan Awards
The awards for the fiscal year 2024-2025 highlighted the performance of several major and private ports across different cargo segments. The Deendayal Port Authority, situated at Kandla in Gujarat, took the top spot for container cargo handling under the half-million mark. Meanwhile, the Visakhapatnam Port Authority in Andhra Pradesh secured the runner-up position for handling liquid bulk cargo in the high-volume category.
Other notable winners included Sikka Port and Terminals Limited in Gujarat, which led the liquid bulk cargo sector. The Paradip Port Authority in Odisha secured the first position for dry bulk cargo operations. For container handling above the threshold of 0.5 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), Mundra Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority claimed the top two positions.
The table below summarizes the key winners and categories recognized under the performance index:
| Port Authority / Terminal | Category and Cargo Segment | Performance Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat) | Handling of Container Cargo (less than 0.5 Million TEUs) | Winner / First Place |
| Visakhapatnam Port Authority (Andhra Pradesh) | Excellence in Handling Liquid Bulk Cargo (5 million tonnes and above) | Second Place |
| Sikka Port and Terminals Limited (Gujarat) | Handling of Liquid Bulk Cargo (5 million tonnes and above) | Winner / First Place |
| Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) | Handling of Dry Bulk Cargo | Winner / First Place |
| Mundra Port (Gujarat) | Handling of Container Cargo (more than 0.5 Million TEUs) | Winner / First Place |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (Maharashtra) | Handling of Container Cargo (more than 0.5 Million TEUs) | Second Place |
Metrics and Assessment Methodology
The Logistics Port Performance Index utilizes a robust, data-driven methodology to ensure objectivity in its rankings. It applies the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), which is a multi-criteria decision-making method used to rank ports by comparing their actual performance against ideal operational targets. This helps eliminate subjective biases in evaluation.
To assess the ports comprehensively, the framework evaluates performance across three major categories. These are dry bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo, and container cargo. The index evaluates ports based on several critical parameters, including vessel turnaround time, cargo throughput, berth idle time, average pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time, and average ship berth day output.
Crucially, the scoring system allocates equal weightage to both absolute performance and year-on-year operational improvements. This balanced approach ensures that highly developed ports are recognized for their scale of operations, while smaller or developing ports are incentivized to continuously improve their efficiency and processes.
Digital Initiatives for Maritime Reform
Alongside the performance index awards, the ministry launched four major digital initiatives to improve ease of doing business and governance in the maritime sector. The e-Navik module is a round-the-clock grievance redressal portal designed to address seafarer welfare and resolve issues promptly. To streamline the vessel flagging and registration process, the government introduced the e-Samudra ship registration module, which digitizes key steps in maritime documentation.
Additionally, the ministry launched the Medical Practitioner Module to verify the credentials of medical professionals authorized to issue health fitness certificates for maritime staff. Finally, the Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note Module was introduced to digitize incentives, promoting environment-friendly ship recycling practices. These digital platforms support India’s broader vision of a modern, transparent, and technology-driven blue economy.
Key Takeaways
- The Sagar Aankalan guidelines were introduced by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in February 2024 to establish a national port benchmarking framework.
- The Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat was recognized as the best-performing port for handling container cargo under 0.5 Million TEUs for the fiscal year 2024-2025.
- The Visakhapatnam Port Authority in Andhra Pradesh secured the second position in excellence in handling liquid bulk cargo for ports handling 5 million tonnes and above.
- The Logistics Port Performance Index evaluates port efficiency across dry bulk, liquid bulk, and container cargo using the TOPSIS methodology.
- The index assesses ports on operational parameters including vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, container dwell time, and average ship berth day output.
- The ministry launched the e-Navik portal and e-Samudra module to digitalize seafarer grievance redressal and ship registration processes.
